Your Matrimonial and Divorce Attorneys in Manhattan

Dos and Don'ts of Divorce

DOS:

• Be honest with your attorney.  Be responsive to your attorney’s requests for information.
• Make an inventory of all marital and separate real and personal property with approximate values.
• Prepare a package of financial information including but not limited to: tax returns, bank statements, securities account information, credit card statements, loan documents, real estate transactions, etc.
• List all the activities you participate in with your children.
• Prepare a budget of your and your children’s monthly expenses.
• Clarify for yourself, prior to seeing an attorney, your own important needs, interests and priorities.

DON’TS:

• Do not involve your children in the divorce proceedings.
• Do not argue with your spouse.  If unavoidable, do not argue in front of your children.
• Do not say negative things about your spouse to your children or to someone else within the hearing distance of your children.
• Try not to get overly emotional around your children about your divorce or your life after divorce. You may risk increasing their insecurity and fear about the future.
• Do not deny your spouse access to the children, unless there is a good reason to do so (i.e. domestic violence, abuse, etc.) and then only on the advice of counsel.
• Do not change the locks to the residence unless advised to do so by counsel.